JP2007221382A - Image forming apparatus, image forming program, and memory medium storing same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, etc. which can perform electronic sort printing of all draft even if all data size of the draft are beyond a free space of a memory device. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with an image reading means 31 which reads a draft, an image data size measuring means 32 which measures a size of image data for 1 page of a draft read by the image reading means 31, and an image data memory means 34 which stores image data read by the image reading means 31 in a memory device. It is featured to be provided with a memorizable number of pages calculation means 33 which calculate a memorizable number of pages, based on the image data size measured by the image data size measuring means 32 and a free space of the memory device; and to repeat memory and erasure of the image data of the memory device, if the number of pages calculated by the memorizable number of pages calculation means 33 is less than a number of pages of the all draft. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming program, and an image forming program capable of printing the entire original by one or more electronic sorts even when the total data size of the original exceeds the free capacity of the storage device. The present invention relates to a storage medium for storing.

  In an image forming apparatus having a scanner function represented by a PPC (Plain Paper Copier) copying machine or the like, it is an important function to read a user's original and perform electronic sort printing.

  However, in electronic sort printing, it is necessary to read a document with a scanner function and store the read image data in a storage device such as a memory. However, the storage device included in the image forming apparatus is not always in a state where all the image data of the number of documents can be stored.

  This is because the size of the scanned image data varies greatly depending on the scanning conditions (paper size, color mode, resolution, etc.) at the time of document scanning, and the free capacity of the storage device varies depending on the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus. It is to do.

  Therefore, depending on the original, the image forming apparatus may not be able to print even though the entire original has been read.

Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, when it is determined that electronic sort printing cannot be performed, the method of compressing or converting the read image data into data from multi-value to binary, or the read document width, There has been proposed a method for calculating a data size and securing an area of a storage device for the size. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-5-37747 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-307848

  However, the method described in Patent Document 1 has an effect of increasing the number of pages that can be subjected to electronic sort printing. However, depending on the number of originals, it cannot be stored in the storage device and cannot meet the user's request. There is a concern, and when the data is converted from multi-value to binary, the print quality is deteriorated.

  In addition, in the method described in Patent Document 2, there may be a case where an area of a necessary image data size cannot be secured in the area of the storage device, and in this case, the result does not meet the user's request. End up.

  In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an image format that can print all originals by one or more electronic sorts even when the total data size of the originals exceeds the free capacity of the storage device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device storing an image forming apparatus, an image forming program, and an image forming program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads a document, and an image data size measuring unit that measures the size of image data for one page of the document read by the image reading unit. An image data storage means for storing the image data read by the image reading means in a storage device, wherein the image data size measured by the image data size measurement means, A storable page number calculating means for calculating the number of storable pages based on the free space, and when the number of pages calculated by the storable page number calculating means is less than the number of pages of the entire document, Data can be stored and erased in the storage device repeatedly.

  As a result, the image forming apparatus can perform electronic sort printing on all the originals even when the total data size of the originals exceeds the free capacity of the storage device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be configured to store the image data by the image data storage unit simultaneously with the measurement of the image data size by the image data size measurement unit. .

  As a result, the image forming apparatus can measure the size of the read image data and store the image data in the storage device in one process, which leads to the efficiency of the electronic sort process. Thus, it is not necessary to return the document used for calculating the number of pages that can be stored to the document table again.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention first measures the image data size by the image data size measuring means, and after the user requests for execution, the image data storage means Thus, the image data can be stored.

  Thus, the user can cancel the execution of the electronic sort printing before storing the document in the storage device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be configured so that a user has means for setting image reading conditions for designating the number of originals and / or image reading conditions.

  Thus, the user can know whether all the originals can be electronically sorted before the actual electronic sort printing is performed, and whether the originals can be divided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an automatic document feeder and an operation panel. The automatic document feeder can detect that a user has set a document and store the document. The number of pages calculated by the page number calculation means can be displayed on the operation panel before executing sort printing.

  As a result, the user can know how many pages of the entire document can be printed at the time of initial printing when the document is divided and electronic sort printing is performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has an operation panel, and can be configured so that the user selects from the operation panel whether or not to continue the sort printing. .

  Thus, the user can cancel the execution of the electronic sort printing before storing the document in the storage device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has an operation panel. When the data size of the entire document exceeds the free capacity of the storage device, the image data is stored in the storage device. It can be configured to select from the operation panel whether or not to perform the process of repeating erasure.

  As a result, the image forming apparatus can perform electronic sort printing on all the originals even when the total data size of the originals exceeds the free capacity of the storage device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming program of the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads a document, and an image data size measurement that measures the size of image data for one page of the read document by the image reading unit. And an image data storage means for storing the image data read by the image reading means in a storage device. The image forming program causes a computer to execute the image data size measured by the image data size measuring means. Storable page number calculating means for calculating the number of storable pages based on the free capacity of the storage device, and the number of pages calculated by the storable page number calculating means is the number of pages of the entire document. If there are fewer, the information processing apparatus can execute the process of repeatedly storing and erasing the image data in the storage device. It can be described in that form.

  As a result, the image processing program can execute the electronic sort printing process on the entire document with the information processing apparatus even when the total data size of the document exceeds the free capacity of the storage device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the storage medium of the present invention can be configured to store the image forming program according to claim 8.

The present invention relates to an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method capable of printing all originals by one or more electronic sorts even when the total data size of the originals exceeds the free capacity of the storage device. A storage medium for storing the program and the image forming program can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment includes a system control unit 11, a main storage unit 12, a scanner unit 13, an engine unit 14, a display unit 15, and an input unit 16.

  The system control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), executes a program for realizing the functions (“copy”, “printer”, “FAX”, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 10, and the CPU bus 17. This is for controlling the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 10.

  The main storage unit 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory), and stores an image forming program executed by the system control unit 11 in the ROM. When executing the program, the image forming program stored in the ROM is temporarily stored in a RAM (hereinafter referred to as a memory), and data used in the image forming program is temporarily stored in the RAM. The RAM temporarily stores image data of the original when electronic sort printing is performed. NVRAM must also store device-specific information (such as the number of copies to be countered) and setting values required for controlling copying, printers, faxes, etc. even when the power is turned off. Information that must not be stored.

  The scanner unit 13 includes a scanner control unit 131, an image processing unit 132, and an image reading unit 133. The scanner control unit 131 controls the image reading unit 133 and the image processing unit 132, and is an image reading apparatus. A document is read from a table or ADF (Auto Auto Document Feed), and optimal digital signal processing (input correction, scaling, spatial filter, density correction, gradation, etc.) is performed on the read image data. ).

  The engine unit 14 includes an engine control unit 141 and a printing unit 142, and the engine control unit 141 takes out a paper feed cassette unit that stores printing paper of various sizes and a printing paper stored in the paper feed cassette unit. A paper feeding and conveying unit that conveys the image to the image forming unit, an image forming unit that forms an image from print information and prints it on the printing paper, a paper discharging unit that discharges the printed printing paper to a paper discharge tray, The drive unit that drives each unit is referred to as a printing unit 142, and printing is performed on the paper by driving and controlling the drive unit.

  As described above, when the user requests electronic sort printing, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the document by the scanner unit 13, temporarily stores the read image data in the memory, and uses the engine unit 14 to use the image data. Printing is performed based on the image data stored in the memory for the number of copies specified by the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation panel 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Regarding the operation panel 20, main functions used when performing electronic sort printing will be described together with specific operations of electronic sort printing.

  The operation panel 20 mainly has a display screen 21, a numeric keypad 22, a reset key 23, and a start key 24.

  The display screen 21 includes information on a print job such as “printing in progress”, character string, operation conditions and input conditions of the image forming apparatus 10 such as electronic sort printing / not performing, “can copy”, “to tray” Various information on the device status such as “Replenish paper” is displayed on the screen, and the processing status of electronic sort printing such as “Sort to page XX” of electronic sort printing and “Number of originals” Display a screen asking for user instructions, such as "Please enter" or "Do you want to continue reading?" In addition, the display screen 21 is a liquid crystal touch panel, and the user can press the OK button on the liquid crystal touch panel with an attached touch pen or the like when continuing to the instruction request “Do you want to continue reading?” It is possible to select and instruct to continue the process.

  The numeric keypad 22 is composed of 12 hard keys of 0-9, *, #, and when it is necessary to input numbers due to printing conditions, etc., by pressing the key corresponding to the number to be specified, Can be specified. When “Please input the number of documents” is displayed on the display screen 21 in the electronic sort printing, the user can specify the number of documents by pressing the key corresponding to the number for which the user wants to specify.

  The reset key 23 allows the image forming apparatus 10 to stop the current processing when the user presses the key. When electronic sort printing is being performed, the user can cancel electronic sort printing by pressing a key.

  The start key 24 can be printed when the user presses the key after the designation of printing conditions and the like has been completed for the image forming apparatus 10. When electronic sort printing is performed, the user sets an original on the original table or the ADF, and presses a key to read the original and start electronic sort printing.

  In this way, the display unit 15 is for displaying the contents that the system control unit 11 issues instructions appropriately from the CPU bus via the operation unit I / F on the display screen 21 provided in the operation panel 20. The input unit 16 receives contents instructed by pressing various keys provided in the operation panel 20, and notifies the system control unit 11 from the input unit I / F via the CPU bus.

  Further, the user can issue a print instruction from the operation panel 20 while confirming the state of electronic sort printing performed by the image forming apparatus 10.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a main part according to the embodiment of the present invention.
3 is functionally divided into an image reading unit 31, an image data size measuring unit 32, a storable page number calculating unit 33, and an image data storing unit 34.

  The image reading unit 31 reads a user's original by the scanner unit 13 included in the image forming apparatus 10 and captures it as image data. The image reading device used in the image reading unit 31 includes an ADF having an automatic document feeding function in addition to a document table provided in the image forming apparatus 10 with a minimum hardware configuration.

  The image data size measuring unit 32 reads the first page of the document set on the document table or ADF by the image reading unit 31 and measures the size of the image data of the read document. The size of the measured image data varies depending on the document reading conditions such as the paper size of the document, the color mode (“color”, “black and white”) and resolution set in the image forming apparatus 10. The document reading conditions can be set from the operation panel 20 when the user reads the document by the image reading means 31. When the user does not set the image reading condition, the setting value stored in advance in the NVRAM or the like by the image forming apparatus 10 is used.

  The storable page number calculating means 33 calculates the number P of storable pages in the entire document with respect to the free space of the memory when performing electronic sort printing. As a calculation method, the size Sbyte / page of the image data of the first page of the document and the free space V byte of the memory measured by the image data size measuring unit 32 are calculated by the following equation (1).

P = V / S (1)
And the value which rounded off the decimal point of the value calculated from the said Formula (1) becomes the number of storable pages. The number of storable pages calculated from the equation (1) by the storable page number calculation means 33 is that the document to be electronically sorted can be printed in a batch or cannot be printed unless it is divided. It becomes a standard to judge.

The image data storage unit 34 temporarily stores the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 31 in the memory (main storage unit 12) when performing electronic sort printing.
The image data stored in the memory is stored in the form of a raster image (also referred to as raster graphics) expressed as an array of colored dots. Thus, the designated number of copies are printed based on the stored image data. In addition, storage in the memory is performed by the system control unit 11 via the CPU bus 17.

  Hereinafter, a flow in which electronic sort printing is executed will be described.

  First, when a document is set on a document table or ADF by a user and the image forming apparatus 10 receives an instruction for electronic sort printing, the image reading unit 31 reads the first page of the document.

  Next, the size of the read image data is measured by the image data size measuring means 32, and the number of pages that can be stored in the free area of the memory is calculated from the equation (1) of the storable page number calculating means 33. Then, based on the calculation result, it is determined whether the originals can be batch-printed electronically or cannot be printed unless they are divided, and the fact is notified to the user via the operation panel 20.

  Next, even if the data size of the entire document is larger than the free capacity of the memory, if the user instructs to continue the electronic sort printing, the image reading unit 31 reads the document for the number of storable pages, and the image The data storage means 34 temporarily stores the image data in the memory.

  Next, the electronic sort printing is started based on the stored image data, and the image data that has been printed and no longer needs to be stored in the memory is deleted from the memory. The image data of the next original is stored in the area.

  By repeating this process, electronic sort printing is continued until there are no more originals to be read.

  Hereinafter, each process for executing the electronic sort printing for all the originals even when the data size of the entire original exceeds the free capacity of the storage device will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for setting the number of documents and image reading conditions according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The processing shown in FIG. 4 is calculated based on the image reading conditions (paper size, color mode, resolution, etc.) and the number of documents before the user performs electronic sort printing (before placing the document on the document table or ADF). In order to determine whether or not the originals that are to be electronically sorted printed can be printed collectively in the image forming apparatus 10 from the estimated data size of the entire original, compared with the free area of the memory, The image reading condition and the number of originals are set from the operation panel 21 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and the expected data size of the entire original is calculated.

  First, the user sets the image reading conditions when performing electronic sort printing from the operation panel 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 (S101). However, the image reading condition setting of the image forming apparatus 10 does not necessarily need to be performed, and if not set by the user, a setting value stored in advance in the image forming apparatus 10 is used.

  Next, the electronic sort printing ON button displayed on the display screen 21 of the operation panel 20 is selected to instruct electronic sort printing (S102).

  When the electronic sort printing ON button displayed on the operation panel 20 is not selected or OFF is selected (NO in S102), it is determined that the confirmation process before the electronic sort printing is not performed, and the process is performed. finish.

  When the user selects the electronic sort printing ON button displayed on the operation panel 20 (YES in S102), the number of documents shown in FIG. 5 is input to the display unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10. Give instructions to display the screen. (S103).

  Next, it is determined whether the user has input the number of documents from the numeric keypad 22 provided on the operation panel 20 (S104).

  If the input of the number of documents by the numeric keypad 22 provided on the operation panel 20 cannot be confirmed (S104: NO), the state of the reset key 23 provided on the operation panel 20 is confirmed (S105).

  At this time, if the user does not press the reset key 23 (NO in S105), the display screen 21 of the operation panel 20 is continuously displayed with an input screen for the number of documents, and the input from the user is awaited.

  If the user presses the reset key 23 (YES in S105), it is determined that the confirmation process before the electronic sort printing is stopped, and the document is sent to the display unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10. An instruction to switch from the number input screen to the print job standby screen is issued, and the process ends.

  When the user inputs the number of documents from the numeric keypad 22 provided on the operation panel 20 (S104: YES), the image data for one page predicted from the image reading conditions and the number of documents input by the user are displayed. Based on this, the expected data size of the entire document is calculated (S106).

  From the expected data size of the entire document calculated by the processing shown in FIG. 4, the user can easily know whether or not printing can be performed collectively before performing electronic sort printing. When the image forming apparatus 10 cannot install the ADF, the user needs to set the document on the document table for each page. Therefore, the electronic sort is performed on all the documents after starting the electronic sort printing. If the setting for controlling whether or not to perform processing for printing is a setting that does not perform processing, and the data size of the entire document exceeds the free capacity of the storage device, printing is performed only partway and use Since the user wastes time and the work load is large, it is important for the user to check whether the electronic sort printing can be performed at once before setting the document on the document table. It is effective in reducing the burden.

  Note that S104 in FIG. 4 is not necessarily executed, and as a modified example, a method of automatically counting the number of documents using an ADF is conceivable.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing pre-processing until image data for performing sort printing according to the embodiment of the present invention is stored in a memory.

  In FIG. 6, each of the image reading unit 31, the image data size measuring unit 32, the storable page number calculating unit 33, and the image data storing unit 34 described in FIG. Indicates whether it is running.

  6 is based on the premise that the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with an ADF. The difference from the case of using the document table is that the document set on the ADF is automatically detected. In terms of starting the process, in the case of the document table, the process is started when the user presses the start key 24 of the operation panel 20. Therefore, in the case of the document table, the process of automatically detecting the document may be replaced with a point where the star key 24 is pressed.

  First, the user sets a document on the ADF provided in the image forming apparatus 10 (S201).

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the user who set the document selects the electronic sort printing ON button from the display screen 21 of the operation panel 20 to instruct the electronic sort printing (S202). As described with reference to FIG. 4, the user sets the image reading conditions (paper size, color mode, resolution, etc.) and the like before electronic sort printing (before setting the original on the ADF). An instruction for sort printing is issued.

  When the user has not instructed the electronic sort printing (NO in S202), the user who has set the document determines that there is no intention to perform the electronic sort printing, and ends the process.

  When the user instructs electronic sort printing (YES in S202), if a document is set in the ADF, the ADF automatically detects that the document is set. It is determined whether or not is set (S203).

  If the document is not set correctly (NO in S203), the information that informs the user to that effect is displayed on the display screen of the operation panel 20 and waits until it is set correctly. In the meantime, it is determined whether or not the reset key 23 of the operation panel 20 is pressed (S204).

  If the reset key 23 on the operation panel 20 is not pressed (NO in S204), the document is not set correctly, so that it waits until it is set correctly. At the same time, keep monitoring.

  If the reset key 23 on the operation panel 20 is pressed (YES in S204), it is determined that the user has stopped the electronic sort printing, and the process is terminated.

  When the document is set correctly or when the document is set correctly by the user (YES in S203), the main system of the image forming apparatus 10 is activated and the allocated memory is started when the copy application is started. Based on the area, the free capacity is acquired (S205).

  Next, the image reading unit 31 reads the original set in the ADF, and the image data size measuring unit 32 measures the size of the image data of the first page of the original (S206).

  Next, the number of storable pages is calculated by the storable page number calculating means 33 based on the free memory capacity and the image data size measured by the image data measuring means 32 (S207).

  Next, the document is read by the image reading means 31 by the number of storable pages calculated by the storable page number calculating means 33, and the read image data is stored in an empty area of the memory by the image data storing means 34. In addition, the image data that has been printed and no longer needs to be stored in the memory is erased from the memory, and the newly read image data is stored in the erased and empty area, and continues until the entire document is printed. (S208).

  Details of the image data storage means 34 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing for storing and erasing image data on the memory according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is processing executed in S208 of FIG. 7 is based on the premise that the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with an ADF. The difference from the case of using the document table is that the document set on the ADF is automatically detected. In the case of the document table, it is determined whether or not the document reading is completed depending on whether or not the user presses the start key 24 of the operation panel 20. Therefore, in the case of the document table, the process of automatically detecting the document may be replaced with a point where the start key 24 is pressed.

  First, an instruction to display on the display screen 21 of the operation panel 20 the contents for selecting whether or not to store image data in the memory for the number of pages that can be stored, calculated by the number of pages that can be stored 33 is issued. (S301).

  Next, it is determined whether the user has selected whether to memorize (S302).

  When the user selects not to store the image data (NO in S302), it is determined that the user has stopped the electronic sort printing, and a screen for inputting the number of documents is displayed on the display unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10. Gives an instruction to switch to the print job standby screen and ends the process.

  If the user selects to store image data (YES in S302), the counter for determining the number of pages stored in the memory and the counter for determining the number of read original pages are set to zero. (S303).

  Next, the number of storable pages calculated by the storable page number calculating means 33 is compared with the count value for determining the number of stored pages (number of image data), and the stored number of pages is determined. Then, it is determined whether it is within the range of the number of pages that can be stored (S304).

  If the number of stored pages is less than the number of pages that can be stored (YES in S304), the original is read by the image reading means 31, and the read image data is stored in a free area of the memory (S305).

  Next, the count value of the stored number of pages is advanced by 1 (S306).

  Next, the count value of the number of read original pages is also incremented by 1 (S307).

  Thus, during the range of the number of pages that can be stored, the process of reading the document and storing the read image data in the memory is repeated.

  As a result of repeating the process of storing the image data in the memory, when the number of stored pages exceeds the range of the number of pages that can be stored (NO in S304), printing is finished among the image data stored in the memory. Then, it is determined whether there is image data that no longer needs to be stored in the memory (S308).

  If there is no image data that has been printed and does not need to be stored (NO in S308), the printer waits until printing is completed and the memory is free, and the free state of the memory is periodically monitored.

  If there is image data that has been printed and does not need to be stored (YES in S308), the image data that is no longer required to be stored is deleted from the memory, and the number of stored pages is reduced by 1 (S309). ). At this time, if the user uses the ADF, the original is automatically read, and if the user uses the original table, the next original is set on the display screen 21 of the operation panel 20. After the requested content is displayed and the next document is set by the user, the user presses the start key 24 on the operation panel 20 to read the document.

  Next, it is determined by automatic detection of the ADF whether or not the entire document has been read by the image reading means 31 (S310). In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 4, when the user inputs the number of documents from the operation panel 20 when confirming whether or not all the documents are printed at once before performing the electronic sort printing. Determines whether all the originals have been read based on the number of originals.

  If the document is in the middle (NO in S310), the image reading unit 31 reads the next document, erases the printed image data, and stores the read image data in an area where the memory is free.

  If all the originals have been read (YES in S310), the image data stored in the memory is printed, and the process ends.

  The document is read by the image reading means 31 by the number of storable pages calculated by the storable page number calculation 33, and the image data read by the image data storage means 34 is stored in a free area of the memory.

  Next, after the stored image data is printed, the original is read again by the image reading means 31, and the image data which has been printed and no longer needs to be stored in the memory is erased from the memory, thereby newly reading. The image data is stored in a free area.

  By repeating this process until all the originals are read, electronic sort printing can be performed on all the originals.

  Note that the method of storing new image data in the memory free area that has been printed in FIG. 7 is not only performed for each page, but as a modified example, a method for performing each number of storable pages is also conceivable. .

  FIG. 8 shows Example 1 displayed on the operation panel 20 during the processing of FIG.

  In the display example 2 shown in FIG. 8, after executing S207 in FIG. 6 (after being calculated by the storable page number calculating means 33), the user can manipulate the number of storable pages in the entire document. A state in which notification is given through the panel 20 and whether or not to perform the subsequent processing in FIG. 7 (S208 in FIG. 6) is shown.

  As a result, the electronic sort printing can be stopped before the image data is stored in the memory.

  However, if the user selects to perform the processing of FIG. 7, the manuscript return operation must be performed to return the manuscript used by the storable page number calculating means 33 to the top of the manuscript set in the ADF. This is troublesome for users.

  Therefore, as a modification, when executing S206 in FIG. 6, the image data read by the image reading means 31 is stored in the image data storage means 34 together with the measurement by the image data size measuring means 32. It is possible.

  As a result, the image data size measuring means 31 and the image data storage means 34 can be performed in one process, which leads to efficient processing, and the user can calculate the number of pages that can be stored. It is not necessary to return the original document used in step 1 to the ADF again and to perform the original return operation.

  FIG. 9 shows an example 2 displayed on the operation panel 20 during the processing of FIG.

  Display example 1 shown in FIG. 9 displays the number of pages that can be stored in the entire document after the execution of S207 in FIG. 6 (after calculation by the storage page number calculation means 33) to the user. This is notified through the panel 20 and shows a state in which the electronic sort printing is automatically performed.

  When the data size of the entire document exceeds the free capacity of the storage device, the process for executing the electronic sort printing can be set in the image forming apparatus 10 as to whether or not to perform the process itself. Among the settings related to each function of the image forming apparatus 10, there is a setting value for controlling whether or not processing for executing electronic sort printing is performed, and this setting value is set to “execute processing”. Otherwise, the process described below is not performed. In addition, when the setting value for controlling whether or not to perform processing for executing electronic sort printing is set to “do not perform processing”, and the data size of the entire document exceeds the free capacity of the storage device, All documents are read, but the memory is full and is not printed.

  Even when the data size of the entire document exceeds the free capacity of the storage device, the image forming apparatus 10 has a setting for controlling whether or not processing for executing electronic sort printing is performed on all documents. The operation panel 20 can be confirmed by the user and can be changed.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a document is set on a document table or an ADF by a user and the image forming apparatus 10 receives an instruction for electronic sort printing, the image reading unit 31 causes the document to be scanned. The first page is read and the size of the image data read by the image data size measuring unit 32 is measured. The memory capacity and the image data size measuring unit 32 measure the free memory capacity by the storable page number calculating unit 33. Based on the measured value (image data size of the first page of the document), the number of pages that can be stored in the free area of the memory is calculated, and based on the calculation result, the document can be electronically sorted and printed at once, or It is determined whether printing is possible unless the document is divided, and the image reading means 31 reads the number of documents that can be stored, and the image data storage means 34. More image data is stored in the memory, electronic sort printing is started based on the stored image data, image data that is no longer necessary to be stored in the memory after printing is deleted from the memory, and the image deleted from the memory By repeatedly performing the process of storing the image data of the next original in an empty area for data, electronic sort printing can be performed even when the data size of the entire original is larger than the free capacity of the memory.

  Lastly, the present invention has been described based on each embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations with other elements in the shapes listed in the above embodiments. Absent.

  With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the operation panel which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part which concerns on the Example of this invention. 6 is a flowchart of processing for setting the number of originals and image reading conditions according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen for the number of documents according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the pre-processing until it memorize | stores in the memory the image data for performing sort printing based on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which memorize | stores and erases the image data on the memory based on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example 1 of a screen display to the user which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example 2 of a screen display to the user which concerns on the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Control part 12 Main memory part 13 Scanner part 14 Engine part 15 Display part 16 Input part (operation part)
17 CPU bus 20 operation unit 21 display unit 22 numeric keypad 23 reset key 24 start key 31 image reading unit 32 image data size measuring unit 33 storable page number calculating unit 34 image data storage unit

Claims (9)

Image reading means for reading an original;
An image data size measuring means for measuring a size of image data for one page of the read original by the image reading means;
An image data storage unit that stores image data read by the image reading unit in a storage device,
Storable page number calculating means for calculating the number of pages that can be stored based on the image data size measured by the image data size measuring means and the free capacity of the storage device;
An image forming apparatus characterized by repeatedly storing and erasing image data in the storage device when the number of pages calculated by the storable page number calculating means is smaller than the number of pages of the entire document.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit stores the image data by the image data storage unit simultaneously with the measurement of the image data size by the image data size measurement unit.   The image reading means first measures the image data size by the image data size measuring means, and stores the image data by the image data storage means after a user's execution request is received. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting an image reading condition by which a user designates the number of documents and / or an image reading condition. The image forming apparatus includes an automatic document feeder and an operation panel,
The automatic document feeder detects that a user has set a document, and displays the number of pages calculated by the storable page number calculation means on the operation panel before executing sort printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus has an operation panel,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user selects whether to continue the sort printing from the operation panel. The image forming apparatus has an operation panel,
When the data size of the entire document exceeds a free capacity of the storage device, it is selected from the operation panel whether or not to repeatedly store and delete image data in the storage device. Item 8. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1. Image reading means for reading an original;
An image data size measuring means for measuring a size of image data for one page of the read original by the image reading means;
An image forming program for causing a computer to execute image data storage means for storing image data read by the image reading means in a storage device,
Storable page number calculating means for calculating the number of pages that can be stored based on the image data size measured by the image data size measuring means and the free capacity of the storage device;
An image forming program for repeatedly storing and erasing image data in the storage device when the number of pages calculated by the storable page number calculating means is smaller than the number of pages of the entire document.   A storage medium storing the image forming program according to claim 8.

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